This Week in Geek: 9/10

This Week in Geek is a weekly blog about new comics written by Worthpoint Comicbook Worthologist Matt Baum. Every Wednesday Matt takes a look at the week’s new comics from a collector’s point-of-view and discusses which books may be hard to find in the near future and why. Make sure to click on the hot links for previews and more information on the comics, characters, story lines and creators discussed here

I decided to try something new this week. Rather than starting out with some quips about this week’s new comics I’ve decided to change the format a little and give you guys an actual list of what I’m spending my money on at the comic shop followed by my picks of the week. The idea being, to provide you with a look at the comic junkies stack each week. See, I don’t just buy this stuff because it may or may not be worth more than it’s cover price some day. Comic nerds like myself collect comics, of course, but we read them and discuss them as well. Half the fun of reading comics is arguing with your friends about what they should or shouldn’t be reading. Why just 10 minutes ago I was just making fun of fellow collector/friend earlier about picking up the new ”Deadpool” book. I’m just not a big fan of the writer and it seems comics like these are banking on a character, Deadpool specifically (whose like a Psychotic Spider-man with swords and a healing factor) rather than a great story idea starring that character.

As money gets tighter it can become harder and harder to rationalize spending money on comics. After all, we don’t need comics… Well some of us don’t. And spending money on comics that suck, well that’s just down right stupid. Like buying gas that doesn’t run the cherry condition 1972 Ford Ranchero you rebuilt and airbrushed that awesome Rattlesnake on it’s hood. It’s good to take a critical look at one’s hobbies now and again especially when money is tight. That’s the idea of the new format. In sharing my pile with you guys I fully expect you to call me out if you see something I don’t need to be buying. PLEASE!

Now you may notice that my buy pile doesn’t include one or even all of my speculator picks of the week. This is mainly due to the fact that I’m not a comic speculator as much as I am a collector. So here’s what I’m buying this week with commentary where needed:

B.P.R.D #3
King Size Cable #1 – this one was on the cusp until last issue. It took me a few issues to figure out where series writer Duane Swierczynski was going but I’m liking it more and more.Final Crisis: Revelations#2 – Finding it harder and harder to care about Rene Montoya as the new Question. This might be the last one I buy.
The Goon #28
Green Lantern Corps #28 – Prelude story to the Rage of the Red Lanterns storyline.
Kick Drum Comics #1 – Love that Jim Mafhood
Lone Ranger #13 – Currently in a tie race with Jonah Hex for best Western comic currently on the stands.
Secret Invasion: Inhumans #2 – NBC Heros writer Joe Pokaski nailed the first issue. I can’t wait to read more from him.
Secret Invasion: X-Men #2
Secret Invasion #6

As you can tell not a huge week for me but enough new comics to keep me busy until next Wednesday. Big news in my Speculator picks this week so let’s get to them.

Why it’s hot: Other than the fact that it has Frank Miller and Jim Lee’s names on the cover there is no reason to buy this comic. It’s terribly written and massively over-printed. Miller’s latest Bat-Book has been laughable at best and just-plain-bad at its worst. I don’t read it nor do I get what Miller is trying to do with this comic other than maybe punish readers or prove that he’s completely lost touch with the character of Batman. I know what you’re thinking; how does anything he’s said make this book hot? See below.

Why it’ll go fast: As it would happen Miller has injected some of his detective-noir sensibilities into All Star Bats most notably by giving Batman a dirty mouth. (very creative). As it would happen, rather than using symbols to illustrate naught words (IE. “@$&# you ya @$&#-hole”) DC made the choice to cross out the naughty words with black lines. Don’t ask me why. Well it turns out, due to a printing error all the naughty words were blacked out but not well enough and were quite legible. The print run containing the naughty words were prevented from shipping for the most part but as luck would have it, a few copies made it to a few random shops. Only one copy made it to Omaha as far as I know. Diamond Comics sent out an email on Monday telling retailers to destroy any copies of All Star Bats #10 that they receive and they will be replaced with properly censored issues. If you can find this issue BUY IT! The last time I can think of a naughty issue recall was for The League of Extraordinary Gentleman vol.2 #5 that had a fake add for a womens hygiene product. Again the comic was recalled but a few made it to shops and today it sells for more than $300.00. By the way, this is the only reason to buy this comic. Like I stated above, it’s terrible.

Why it’s hot: This new limited series spins off the success of the other Marvel/Stephen King Project, The Dark Tower and it’s many spin-off series as well. Captain Tripps is not a graphic retelling of King’s The Stand but focuses on some of the character’s from the book.

Why it’ll go fast: The success of Marvel’s Dark Tower comics showed retailers that fans of King’s novels will crossover to the comic world to read more about their favorite characters. The Dark Tower series was one of King’s cult hits, nowhere near as popular or widely read as The Stand, but was a huge seller for Marvel. I would guess that Capt Tripps will enjoy similar if not greater success at the stands.

Why it’s hot: If your not reading both of the current Green Lantern books then you are missing out on the best GL stories ever told. And, your probably a jerk. Peter Tomasi’s GL Corps has been nothing short of fantastic yet most fans aren’t reading it. Issue #28 is the lead-in story to the upcoming Rage of the Red Lanterns storyline that will lead into the much anticipated Blackest Night Storyline.

Why it’ll go fast: GL Corps has been dropping is sales for the past couple of months (from #44 in June to #49 in July on the Diamond Estimated comic sales list) which is too bad because the book is great. Those looking to pick up the entire lead in to the Blackest Night storyline in the future may find this prelude issue very hard to find due to low order numbers. Don’t be a sucker and jump on the GL Corps bandwagon today. You won’t regret it.

Until next week, keep the questions coming, feel free to post to the forum topics in the comic books community and tell me what you’re reading/collecting. Also, check out my other blog The Comic Speculator, where I discuss classic yet still affordable back-issue comics. If you have any questions about these books or anything else in the comic book world feel free to contact me or post your question in the Comic Book community forum. Want to know what your comics are worth? Join Worthpoint for free and post your titles in the “Ask A Question” section.